SPOKANE -- Health officials say a woman in Spokane County tested positive for Zika virus. She was pregnant at the time she showed symptoms, but has since given birth. The child tested negative for the virus.
According to the Spokane County Regional Health District, the woman is in her 20s and was in an area where Zika transmission is happening.
They said her baby shows no signs of health problems related to the virus.
“Although we can be thankful that mom is symptom-free at this point, and that her baby appears unaffected at this time, this serves as a timely reminder for anyone considering traveling to countries where the virus is circulating to be aware of the risks, and for pregnant women to delay their travel if possible,” said Dr. Joel McCullough, SRHD interim health officer.
Health officials say Zika virus can be spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus. The risk factors are still being studied, including microcephaly (abnormally small heads) in infants, and miscarriage.
This is the second confirmed case of Zika virus in Washington. The first was a Mason County man who recently traveled to a Zika infected area.
Here's more info from the SRHD: